STANKIEWICZ
Essential Questions and Learning
• What is the purpose of criminal Investigation?
• What are the basic steps in criminal investigations?
• What are the basic steps involved in crime scene
investigations?
• How do investigators collect evidence?
Purpose/Goal of Criminal Investigations
• The criminal investigations always challenging
• ____________________________________
• The eventual goal of criminal investigations ______
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
Reference: US Department of Homeland Security
Warning
 This lesson is for educational use only. Do not attempt




investigations on your own
Law enforcement should always “Follow Agency Policies!”
Actions taken should be performed in accordance with
department policies and procedures and federal and state
laws
Jurisdictional, logistical or legal conditions may preclude
the use of particular procedures explained
_________________________________________
!
Crime Scene Investigation Steps
According to the National Institute of Justice
•_____________________________________
•_____________________________________
•_____________________________________
•Completing and
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Reference: National Institute of Justice: A Guide for General Crime Scene Investigation.
National Institute of Justice Website - http://nij.gov/topics/lawenforcement/investigations/crime-scene/guides
The National Institute of Justice
 The National Institute of Justice — the research,
development and evaluation agency of the U.S.
Department of Justice — is dedicated to improving
knowledge and understanding of crime and justice
issues through science. NIJ provides objective and
independent knowledge and tools to __________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
 Website: http://www.nij.gov/about/welcome.htm
NOTE
When we go through the steps please realize that this is
by no means a complete “How to Lesson”
 There is a great deal for any investigator /Law
enforcement personnel to know prior to any investigation
 This information is very basic. Thorough investigations
are conducted by highly trained individuals. This
information only scratches the surface
 _______________________________________

Arriving at the Crime Scene – 1
Basic information
 ________________________________
 Law enforcement must be cautious and methodical
 ____________________________________
________________________________ and
should not disturb physical evidence
 ____________________________________
Arriving at the Crime Scene – 2
Basic information
 Follow safety
procedures.
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
Arriving at the Crime Scene – 3
Basic information
 Be aware of ____________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
 Approach the scene cautiously,
_____________________________, and note
any possible secondary crime scenes
 Make initial observations (look, listen, smell) to
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Arriving at the Crime Scene – 4
Basic information
 _________________
_________________
_________________
______________
until it has been assessed
and determined to be
otherwise
Arriving at the Crime Scene – 5
Basic information
 Control all individuals at the scene
 ___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Arriving at the Crime Scene – 6
Basic information
 Identify all individuals at the scene, such as:
 Suspects. __________________________________________
 _______________________. Secure and separate
 Bystanders.
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
 Victims/family/friends. _________________________________
 Medical and other assisting personnel
Arriving at the Crime Scene – 7
Basic information
 ___________________
___________________
___________________
____________ (e.g., law
enforcement officials not
working the case,
politicians and
____________)
Documenting the Crime Scene – 1
 Once the investigator in charge of the crime scene
arrives, he or she should:


___________________________________________
Conduct a scene walkthrough and ___________________
Documenting the Crime Scene – Conducting a Crime Scene
Assessment - 1
 Step 1
 Conduct a scene assessment
 _____________________________________________________
 Share preliminary information
 _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Documenting the Crime Scene – Conducting a Crime Scene
Assessment - 2
 The investigator(s) in charge should:
 _________________________________________
about observations and activities
 Evaluate safety issues that may affect all personnel
entering the scene(s)
Documenting the Crime Scene – Conducting a Crime Scene
Assessment - 3
 Evaluate search and seizure issues to determine the
necessity of obtaining consent to search and/or obtaining
______________________________________________
 Evaluate and ______________________________ to
the scene that can be utilized by authorized personnel
 ___________________________________________
Documenting the Crime Scene – Conducting a Crime Scene
Assessment - 4
 Determine the number/size of scene(s) and prioritize
which should be investigated first
 _____________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Documenting the Crime Scene – Conducting a Crime Scene
Assessment - 5
 If multiple scenes exist,
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
 Establish a secure area
__________________________________
storage in accordance with rules of evidence/chain of
custody
Documenting the Crime Scene – Conducting a Crime Scene
Assessment - 6
 Request additional investigative resources as required
(e.g., personnel/specialized units, legal
consultation/prosecutors and/or equipment)
 ____________________________________________
(e.g., document entry/exit of authorized personnel and
prevent _______________________________________
Documenting the Crime Scene
Conducting a Crime Scene Assessment - 7
 Ensure that witnesses to the incident are identified and separated.
____________________________________________________
 Ensure the surrounding area is canvassed and the results of this
canvassing are documented
 _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Crime Scene Walkthrough - 1
 Step 2
 ____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
 Provide careful written and photo documentation
Crime Scene Walkthrough - 2
 During the scene walkthrough, the investigator(s)
in charge should:
_______________________________________
 Prepare preliminary documentation of the scene
 Identify and protect _________________________
 _______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

General Crime Scene Investigation: Processing the
Scene
 The steps
 ___________________________________________
 Control evidence contamination
 Document the scene
 ___________________________________________
 Collect, preserve, inventory, package, ________________,
and submit evidence
Completing and Recording the Crime Scene
Investigation
 The steps
• ___________________________________________
• Complete a scene debriefing
• ___________________________________________
• Document the crime scene
Crime Scene Debriefing Team
 Includes:
 ___________________________________________
 Other investigators
 ___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Final Survey of the Crime Scene
• Each area identified as part of the crime scene is
inspected
• ____________________________________
____________________________________
• The crime scene is released in accordance with
jurisdictional requirements
Document the Crime Scene- 1
 The investigator(s) in
charge must make sure
that
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
______ compiled into a
case file
Document the Crime Scene-2
 The case file should be a record of actions taken and
evidence collected at the scene
 Documentation should allow for independent review
of the work completed
Collecting Evidence - 1
 Important
 No contamination
 _________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
 Documentation essential
Collecting Evidence - 2
 Types of evidence
 Blood and liquids
 Fingerprints
 _________________
 Physical at scene
 Documentary
 All must be treated with
utmost care
Summary
References - 1
a) US Department of Homeland Security, Federal Law
enforcement Center Training Workshop Website http://www.fletc.gov/osl/tuition-free-trainingprograms/basic-criminal-investigations/
b) National Institute of Justice Website http://nij.gov/topics/lawenforcement/investigations/crime-scene/guides/